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Salmon-Killing Parasite Is Thriving In California Drought

A juvenile Chinook salmon from the Klamath River shows signs of parasitic infection and disease. (Jes Burns/OPB/EarthFix)
A juvenile Chinook salmon from the Klamath River shows signs of parasitic infection and disease. (Jes Burns/OPB/EarthFix)

Drought is creating problems in river systems all around the Northwest. Nowhere is this more evident than on the Klamath River in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Scientists there say there’s not enough cool water flowing, and a massive die-off of young Chinook salmon could happen anytime now.

Releasing more water from upstream reservoirs could help the fish stay healthy, but water managers say they can’t increase the flow. Jes Burns from Here & Now contributor Oregon Public Broadcasting and EarthFix, a public media collaborative in the Northwest, has the story.

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